PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR PREPARING A 3-DIMENSIONAL BODY, IN PARTICULAR A GREEN BODY

The invention relates in a first aspect to a process for preparing a 3-dimensional body, in particular a vitreous or ceramic body, which comprises at least the following steps: a) providing an electrostatically stabilized suspension of particles; b) effecting a local destabilization of the suspension of particles by means of a localized electrical discharge between a charge injector and the suspension at a predetermined position and causing an aggregation and precipitation of the particles at said position; c) repeating step b) at different positions and causing the formation of larger aggregates until a final aggregate of particles representing a (porous) 3-dimensional body (green body) having predetermined dimensions has been formed; wherein the charge injector includes i) at least one discharge electrode which does not contact said suspension of particles or ii) a source of charged particles. A second aspect of the invention relates to a device, in particular for performing the above process, comprising at least the following components: -a vessel for receiving an electrostatically stabilized suspension of particles, -a charge injector, in particular including one or more electrodes or a source of high-energy charged particles, -means for moving the electrode and/or the vessel in the x, y and z directions, -a counter electrode arranged in the vessel for a contact with the suspension of particles, -one or more sensors for determining geometrical and physical parameters within said vessel. In one preferred embodiment, said device further comprises a means for directing a beam of gas-ionizing radiation, in particular a laser beam, to a predetermined position within the vessel.